Elvis Costello is awful

Your opinion is your opinion, I on the other hand think he's one of the great songwriters of his generation and i've only seen 1 bad show in about 30 times i've seen him

the beauty of music , some like some don't

Saw him about 15 years ago and it was terrible.

He phoned in a one hour set, and had zero charisma on stage. One of the worst shows I've ever seen. 

I listen to him as much as I listen to hip hop. 

Seattle show?    My partner is a big Elvis C. fan and was planning on getting tickets, but it would have involved an overnight trip and she couldn't take the time off work.   Glad we didn't go.

Elvis Costello got drunk one night and said some awful things about James Brown and Ray Charles and then got beat up by a girl.

Armed Forces is a great LP

I liked his take on Ship of Fools back in the 90's. That is about my only exposure to him.

Good thread.  Not a fan.

My freshman year of College, there was a guy on my hall who thought he was Elvis Costello.   That was interesting.   

I don't listen to any Nick Lowe or Graham Parker either. 

I’ve got one Nick Lowe album that gets played a few times a year.

He wrote a few decent pop songs.

I like him.

Never seen a show tho

Personally I think he peaked back around 1981- some really good records up to that point.

I dig his wifey though, and her music.

I love Nick Lowe.

I'm a fan of his. I believe that his first three albums, My Aim Is True, This Year's Model and Armed Forces might be the best initial output of any artist ever. It is almost a shame that he wasn't a Brill Building songwriter because he can write killer songs in any genre he wants. Stranger In The House is probably my favorite country song ever written. Over the years I've seen him perform fantastically, solidly and marginally. When he is on, he's as good as anyone. The reviews of this current tour have been stellar, so I guess JR got hit with one of those marginal shows. That's a shame. When he performed at Gathering of the Vibes, there were a lot of people (latter-day-hippies) who were won over despite them expecting him to suck. 

For the record, I still have Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmonds, Rockpile, and Graham Parker in regular rotation. Hell, I still play Ian Dury and Rachel Sweet. :-)

I actually listen to him more than hip hop and CRB. But still not much. Just a couple albums. One side is enough for weeks.

I think he played FOTD at Hardly Strictly one year....

He was really good a few years ago when he opened for The Police in Buffalo. 

Fantastic song writer, always best solo acoustic.

Lost songs the basement tapes continued, The documentary with him helping write music for the lost basement lyrics is  a good view. We enjoyed it

CRB.

Do they still play? Chris is a mess!!!!!!

>>  I believe that his first three albums, My Aim Is True, This Year's Model and Armed Forces might be the best initial output of any artist ever. 

Oh man, gimme a fuckin break.

Let's see, the Police first three albums, Outlandos d'Amour, Regatta de Blanc, Zenyatta Mondatta.  Skynyrd's first three, Pronounced, Second Helping, Nuthin Fancy. Led Zeppelin had Led Zeppelin, II and III.  Then there was The Allman Brothers Band, Idlewild South and LAFE.  Oh, how about Can't Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy and Pretzel Logic? 

These are just a few that come to mind that absolutely blow away Costello's first three outings and I could go on. Don't get me wrong, I love Elvis and agree that his first three were great efforts but they simply don't hold up to the ones that i mentioned.

>>>>>>Let's see, the Police first three albums, Outlandos d'Amour, Regatta de Blanc, Zenyatta Mondatta.  Skynyrd's first three, Pronounced, Second Helping, Nuthin Fancy. Led Zeppelin had Led Zeppelin, II and III.  Then there was The Allman Brothers Band, Idlewild South and LAFE.  Oh, how about Can't Buy a Thrill, Countdown to Ecstasy and Pretzel Logic? 

Wow that’s fucking ridiculous. 

How about The Beatles first three albums??? Please Please Me, With The Beatles and Introducing.....The Beatles. Skynyrd and the Allman Brothers are better than that? The Clash’s first three albums, whichever way you want to go with their discography, is better than the Police. Half of the material on Led Zep’s first three albums was all stolen by Peter Grant. 

I didn't say my list was end all dude. And rather than post the obvious I chose others that would make my argument valid.

And sure, Zep may have borrowed stuff from others but they completely transformed it! And I don't see a bunch of people laying claim for credit to Zeppelin songs.

Also, The Clash 1st three albums US peak chart positions, 126, 128, 27. The Police first three, 23, 25, 5. 

And don't be calling me ridiculous son...   ;o)

Armed Forces is a great LP<<

True.

And Spike is even better.

The 2nd Clash LP was half-cooked.

Killer 1st 3 LPs?

Hendrix

Airplane

Ramones

Henry Cow (the three sock LPs)

X

R.E.M.

Byrds

If there's any way to get Duke back on the black screen it's to bash on The Clash or The Police.

I miss him, so I say...

The Clash & The Police SUCKED!!!

Duke???

It’s awesome that people still want to argue about musical opinions. One of my all time favorite musical opinion arguers Bleecker Bob passed away yesterday.  RIP, Bob. He liked Elvis Costello.

 36 yrs ago, JFK, opening for Genesis, on the bill with Blondie and a Flock of Seagulls 

Elvis was touring the Almost Blue album, his country covers effort.  

At least Genesis played Suppers Ready

Garcia was a fan.  Long interview with both, and a fun night at Sweetwater with the great James Burton.

 http://www.elviscostello.info/wiki/index.php/Musician,_March_1991

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq3r77gn9DQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew_FRsurUNI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAJuRK9x4No

More on the 4/24/89 show:  https://themidnightcafe.org/2016/12/08/lossless-bootleg-bonanza-elvis-co...

I attended the Asbury park show this tour, and enjoyed it.  The sound was a bit muddied at times, but they delivered a 18  song set, with three sets of encores (2.75 hr show). The crowd was pleased.  I have only seen Elvis four times, but the shows from the 86 and 89 are among the best that i've seen. 

I agree, Bluelight,  Spike is a fantastic album. 

Lyneord Skinnerd is a garbage dump.  The Beatles first three albums make John Mayer look like Hendrix.  Who is Rob Lowe?  Never heard his music.  Clash is the greatest British band ever.

"The Beatles first three albums make John Mayer look like Hendrix."

Few statements could display missing the point more completely.

>>>>>>Garcia was a fan.

He was also a dope fiend with terrible personal hygiene.

My mother still has a piece of Elvis's scarf!  

Oh... you mean THAT Elvis.    Yeah, he's cool for what he does.  Talented guy, great songwriter, kinda cranky sometimes but all in all he contributed some great songs to the cannon of rock and roll. 

I never cared for Costello but have recently warmed up quite a bit to his work from the 70's, too scared to venture past that for the time being though.

as for best 1st 3 albums, I'd argue the mother's of invention's initial 3 releases were a greater accomplishment musically, artistically, and influentially than anything listed in here so far, with radiohead and, hell, maybe even fugazi being as good or better than anything listed so far. 

He was hands down worst concert I've ever seen. In fairness, it was 1978 or 79 but it was brutal. Phoned in set, under an hour. Swore him off as a live act but respect him as a singer/songwriter

The Doors first three albums werent bad...and as far as The Beatles are concerned...it's their second 3, third 3, and fourth 3 albums that raise them to a level that  no one has ever, or will ever touch.

As far strongest first 3 releases by a solo artist goes, my vote might have to b for Bob Dylan

Santana.

Jrad

Jim Croce

Harry Chapin

Donovan

Cat Stevans

JT

Elton John...(but, i never really considered him a solo artist)

Shit, there's a even a couple contemporary artists that r only few albums deep into their careers who's quality is rivaling costello's, run the jewels and sturgill Simpson come to mind

One of the best compliments that I got, was from a former band member/professional sound guy, that told me 'I've been doing some stuff for this guy Sturgill and he reminds me of you. I never really got you until I started working with him.'  Different league of talent but I took the compliment well. 

>>>>Jrad

good call. I bet Elvis Costello doesn’t do half of the teases jrad does 

Elvis Costello is 5’10”.  It’s hard to take a man under 6’ seriously.  Turtle is one of the few exceptions.

That's a very valid point, Hoover

Queen is in that group of first three albums. Then....

What about REM and Springsteen’s first three albums I think Bruce is only 5’10 btw 

Can we at least all agree the album cover art for costello's most recent release isn't that great?

Yes, yes we can 

Wonderful, at least we're making progress.

i believe there's all kinds of merch with that image on it available just in time for the holidays.

hats, scarfs, sweaters, u name it!

I agree that Elvis Costello has a bit of a hit or miss factor.  I really like some of his albums (My Aim Is True, Armed Forces, Imperial Bedroom, The King Of America).  He's got a whole bunch of records that I rarely listen to.

I saw him live once in the early 80's at Merriweather and enjoyed the show.

He has been battling cancer.  I was surprised when I heard he was doing the show.  Hope he is doing better and it was just an off night.

Couldn’t say that I’ve ever heard any of his music aside from a few moments in his version Ship of Fools before having to turn it off. I know heads like him because he “played with Jerry” and all but I’ve never been compelled to dig into his catalogue. Never really been a scarf and hats guy myself either.

His wife def a great pianist.

Couldn’t say that I’ve ever heard any of his music aside from a few moments in his version Ship of Fools before having to turn it off. I know heads like him because he “played with Jerry” and all but I’ve never been compelled to dig into his catalogue. Never really been a scarf and hats guy myself either.

His wife def a great pianist.

Apoarently Costello has been having an "off night" for about 40 years. 

I didn’t know Elvis was battling cancer. 

It shines a whole different light on this thread, now knowing that people are severely bashing someone who is fighting cancer. Yes the album cover is still god awful but let’s show a little respect to people with cancer, people. 

smh 

>>>Apoarently Costello has been having an "off night" for about 40 years.

maybe it’s one of those slow moving cancers 

tall people use more of the earth's resources.

Short folks breath less pollution.

Is the new album cover an illustration of sweet lady cancer?

Short folk work well in mines and submarines. 

Elvis likes happy SoCal peeps more than PNW depressoids. Check it out: http://www.jankysmooth.com/elvis-costello-imposters-12-05-2018/

Ha ha.  I displayed missing again.  I'll keep my missing covered.  Musical tastes are like assholes, everybody is one.  I tried Elvis one time.  He is a fine musician but not an inspiring performer.    

I thought the bassist for the attractions was kinda badass, apparently he and Elvis didn't get along very well.

was it because Costello was awful?

Post like Anthony’s really can make a thread great. It doesn’t really make sense and doesn’t really have to. Rock and Roll, bud.

This thread is more entertaining than Elvis Costello.

>was it because Costello was awful?

And that bassist is....  Let me guess, probably waiting to play 3 notes for an En Vogue reunion? 

That bassist is......Bruce Thomas: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Thomas

>>>>There was a moment a young man in the front row was obviously in a physical crisis, in fact Elvis had to call the medics so the whole song was going in weird directions 

Loved him on Frasier.

^^^36 yrs ago, JFK, opening for Genesis, on the bill with Blondie and a Flock of Seagulls A Picture of that day.

Watching the detectives isn't a bad song

Flock of Seagulls

Elvis

I have some good ones of Blondie that day but a little off topic.

His jazzmasters look kinda nice

One of my favorites from Imperial Bedroom, Beyond Belief. 

Beyond Belief - Studio version

Beyond Belief - Live version

History repeats the old conceits
The glib replies the same defeats
Keep your finger on important issues
With crocodile tears and a pocketful of tissues
I'm just the oily slick
On the windup world of the nervous tick
In a very fashionable hovel

I hang around dying to be tortured
You'll never be alone in the bone orchard
This battle with the bottle is nothing so novel

So in this almost empty gin palace
Through a two-way looking glass
You see your Alice

You know she has no sense
For all your jealousy
In a sense she still smiles very sweetly

Charged with insults and flattery
Her body moves with malice
Do you have to be so cruel to be callous

And now you find you fit this identikit completely
You say you have no secrets
And then leave discreetly

I might make it California's fault
Be locked in Geneva's deepest vault
Just like the canals of Mars and the Great Barrier Reef
I come to you beyond belief

My hands were clammy and cunning
She's been suitably stunning
But I know there's not a hope in Hades
All the laddies cat call and wolf whistle
So called gentlemen and ladies
Dog fight like rose and thistle

I got a feeling
I'm going to get a lot of grief
Once this seemed so appealing
Now I am beyond belief

I got a feeling
I'm going to get a lot of grief
Once this seemed so appealing
Now I am beyond belief

I got a feeling
I'm going to get a lot of grief
Once this seemed so appealing
Now I am beyond belief

I displayed missing again......

I’ll keep my missing covered......

For the record, I still have Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Dave Edmonds, Rockpile, and Graham Parker in regular rotation. Hell, I still play Ian Dury and Rachel Sweet. :-)

ski further

some great rock and roll there, all in regular rotation here as well, 1979, Rockpile opened for Blondie at Wohlman Ring Central Park, they were so freaking good I had to leave midway thru Blondie, no way they were going to top Rockpile

Anyone remember when Costello made the music video about touching himself in a movie theater watching a mediocre Julia Roberts movie while covering Charles Aznavour's 'she'?

that was pretty awful

Mississippi Half -Step, Toodle-oo

What’s so funny about peace, love, and understanding (JR)?

I like the Graham Parker song that he sings with Springsteen 

>> Lyneord Skinnerd is a garbage dump

At least spell it correctly...  ;o)

>> Clash is the greatest British band ever.

Like, that's just your opinion man... ;o)   

But if that is indeed your opinion and not sarcasm then your opinion is shit to me...
 

You can almost see Costello botching a chord in that picture. 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aZHvd0ks7Es

Hi Peakin, nice memories of a fine summer day

i still have the stub and a $5 lot shirt

*****